Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors Activates $1M Grant for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

This message is provided on behalf of Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency (IA) Board of Directors.

Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors Activates

$1M Grant for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 26, 2020 – Yesterday, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency Board of Directors (IA Board), comprised of the Leon County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Tallahassee Commissions, activated the COVID-19 Emergency Disaster Relief (CEDR) Grant Program to support small businesses in the community impacted economically by COVID19. The application period closes Friday, April 24, 2020.

The CEDR Grant Program dedicates $1 million locally to leverage and aligns with up to $800 million federal dollars to assist local small businesses. It offers an initial lifeline to local businesses to keep employees employed, thereby supporting continuity of operations as they weather the economic hardships during the first critical days and weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic

“During this challenging time, the IA Board recognizes the urgent need to assist our local businesses,” Leon County Commission Chairman and Chairman of the IA Board Bryan Desloge said. “The COVID-19 Economic Disaster Relief grant is a quick tool to inject $1 million directly to our local businesses as they work to remain open.”

The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) will administer the grant program to provide initial cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. Up to $1 million has been allocated for the program and funds will be released on a rolling basis, beginning as soon as three to five days from now.

The distribution of the grant funds will be based on the number of employees. Once applied, businesses with one to 10 employees will be awarded $1,500, businesses with 11 to 24 employees will be awarded $2,500, and businesses with 25 to 50 employees will be granted $5,000.

“In these uncertain times, the thing we know for sure is that our local businesses need support now,” said City Commissioner Elaine Bryant, vice chair of the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency. “This grant program will help bridge the gap until federal, state and private funding options become available.”

Along with the activation of the grant program, the OEV is also currently surveying businesses throughout Florida's capital who have been impacted by COVID-19. Businesses and non-profits can access the Business Assessment Survey at OEVforBusiness.org. To assist local restaurants, the OEV has the "Open for Takeout" interactive map available to the public and accepting updates from local businesses.

“This grant is our initial quick response to assist our local businesses and form a local bridge to federal and state dollars in these first few critical weeks,” OEV Director Cristina Paredes said. “While we can’t solve the problem, we can potentially help fill that gap understanding it’s only a matter of days or weeks before some small businesses close. Our OEV team is reachable at any time and understands the urgency.”

To apply for the CEDR Grant Program, visit www.oevforbusiness.org/cedr-grant. For questions regarding the CEDR Grant Program, contact the OEV at info@OEVforBusiness.org.

About the Tallahassee - Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV)

When you are looking to grow, relocate or start your business in Florida’s capital city, the Office of Economic Vitality is your front door to business resources. OEV can guide you in a variety of ways: site location, talent solutions, financial assistance, for instance. To foster a strong business climate, the Office of Economic Vitality provides data, resources and support to site selectors, state partners, and business leaders in the community alike. We serve as the connector between state economic development, workforce development and business.